History

Ancient and Medieval Indian Rulers

3,431 Questions

Ancient and medieval Indian rulers cover dynasties, major empires, administrative reforms, and historical monuments. This is a highly scored area in history sections of competitive exams. Practice these questions to strengthen your history foundation.

Maratha administrationGupta dynastyAncient kingdomsMedieval income sourcesRashtrakuta empire

Ancient and Medieval Indian Rulers Questions

Multiple choice

Which of the following statements is incorrect?

  1. The amara-nayaka system was a major political innovation of the Vijayanagara empire.

  2. The amara-nayakas were military commanders.

  3. The amara-nayakas sent tribute to the king annually and personally appeared in the royal court with gifts to express their loyalty.

  4. Many amara-nayakas established independent kingdoms.

  5. The iqta system of the Delhi sultanate was derived from the amara-nayaka system of Vijaynagara.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
E Correct answer
Explanation

This statement is incorrect. 

Multiple choice

The imperial structure of Vijaynagara started to fall apart after the death of Krishnadeva Raya. Which of the following statements is/are correct in light of this statement?

a. Krishnadeva Raya’s successors were troubled by rebellious nayakas or military chiefs. b. Control of the Vijaynagara empire shifted to Aravidu lineage. c. Rama Raya, the Chief Minister of Vijayanagara in 1565, took the title 'Establisher of the Yavana Kingdom'.

  1. a, b and c

  2. a and b

  3. b and c

  4. a and c

  5. c only
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

This is the correct answer as these statements are correct.

Multiple choice

The Aravidu dynasty ruled from which of the following centres over the ages?

a. Vijayanagara b. Berar c. Penukondad d. Chandragiri

  1. a, b, c and d

  2. a, b and c

  3. a, b and d

  4. b, c and d

  5. a and c
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

This is the correct answer. The Aravidu dynasty ruled from Vijayanagara from the mid-sixteenth century. After the combined armies of Bijapur, Ahmadnagar and Golconda sacked the city of Vijayanagara, it was completely abandoned and the Aravidu dynasty ruled from Penukonda and later from Chandragiri (near Tirupati).

Multiple choice

The Vijayanagara kings were keen to ensure the stability of the sultanates and vice versa. Which of the following kings intervened to resolve succession disputes in Vijayanagara following the death of Krishnadeva Raya?

a. Sultan of Ahmadnagar b. Sultan of Bijapur c. Sultan of Golconda d. Sultan of Berar

  1. a and d

  2. b and c

  3. a and b

  4. a only

  5. b only
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
E Correct answer
Explanation

This is the correct answer as the sultan of Bijapur intervened to resolve succession disputes in Vijayanagara, following the death of Krishnadeva Raya.

Multiple choice

In the Vijayanagar empire, social and religious matters were decided by

  1. Samayacaryas or Desaris

  2. Kavalakaras or Arasukavalkaras

  3. Dharmopanchas or Dharmdesas

  4. Parsokanas or Dhruvrajas
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

The Dharmopanchas (or Dharmadesas) served as religious authorities and scholars in the Vijayanagar administration. They adjudicated disputes related to social customs, religious practices, inheritance, and dharmic law, functioning as the judiciary for socio-religious matters.

Multiple choice

In which Hindu Kingdom of medieval India was the image of deity Tirupati or Lord Venkateshvara depicted on its gold coins?

  1. The Vijayanagar Empire

  2. The Kingdom of Hoyasalas of Dwarasamudra

  3. The Kingdom of Kakathiyas of Warrangal

  4. The Kingdom of Yadavas of Devagiri
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

The Vijayanagara emperors, particularly the rulers of the Tuluva dynasty, were great patrons of the Tirupati temple. The image of Lord Venkateshvara (Tirupati Balaji) or symbols associated with the deity appeared on their gold varahas (coins), reflecting their devotion to this sacred pilgrimage center.

Multiple choice

Who built the city of Nagalapura?

  1. Bukka I

  2. Devaraya I

  3. Krishnadeva Raya

  4. Virupaksha
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

Krishnadeva Raya, the greatest ruler of the Vijayanagara Empire (reigned 1509-1529 CE), built Nagalapura (modern Nagalapur) as a tribute to his mother Nagala Devi. The city served as an important administrative center and symbolized his filial devotion and architectural patronage.

Multiple choice

In which of the following kingdoms was the Hoysala kingdom finally dissolved?

  1. Bahmani

  2. Pallavas

  3. Vijayanagar

  4. Chalukyas
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

The Hoysala Empire (c. 1026-1346 CE), centered in present-day Karnataka with capitals at Belur and Halebidu, was eventually absorbed by the Bahmani Sultanate in the 1340s. Following military campaigns by Alauddin Hasan Bahman Shah and his successors, the Hoysala kingdom lost its independence and was dissolved.